1995 Robert Williams and the Hubble Deep Field

Hubble Deep Field: A Lens on Time and Space.

The Hubble Deep Field (HDF) image represents a transformative moment in the history of photography, redefining its boundaries beyond Earth. Captured through the Hubble Space Telescope's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2, this image unveiled over 3,000 galaxies within a fragment of the universe. The technique of 'stacking'—layering multiple exposures—was pivotal, combining about 140 hours spread over ten days to achieve the unprecedented clarity and depth in this photograph. This pioneering method allowed us to see galaxies billions of light-years away, offering not only a visual spectacle but also critical data that has reshaped our understanding of cosmic evolution.

The HDF has fuelled a new genre of visual aesthetics, inspired artists and influencing various media depictions of distant cosmic phenomena. Scientifically, it propelled advances in astrophysics and cosmology, providing insights into the universe’s structure and the lifecycle of galaxies. The Hubble Deep Field image extends beyond its value as a photograph; it stands as a historic milestone at the confluence of technology, art, and science, prompting a profound reflection of our place in the universe.

Credit: R. Williams (STScI), the Hubble Deep Field Team and NASA
Author: Robert Williams
Title: Hubble Deep Field
Date: 1995
Archive: NASA
Source: NASA, Robert Williams, and the Hubble Deep Field Team (STScI)
Original file: 1,771 x 1,819 pixels, file size: 1.94 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg
Available information: The image was assembled from 342 separate exposures taken by the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 over ten consecutive days in December 1995.

James Webb Space Telescope, Deep Field, SMACS 0723, 7 June 2022
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has produced the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. Known as Webb’s First Deep Field, this image of galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 is overflowing with detail. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, James Webb Space Telescope, Deep Field, SMACS 0723, 7 June 2022.

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